Major Fire in South Mumbai Tower claims 7

Identification of some of the residents have been made, while the others could not be identified as they have been badly burnt

Mumbai: In a massive blaze that broke out in a high rise residential Building in South Mumbai last night claimed seven lives and six fire brigade personnel were injured in the accident, the Fire Brigade officials said today.

Six fire Brigade personnel, including two officers, were also injured while carrying out rescue and firefighting operations. The fire started on the 12th floor of the 26-storey Mont Blanc building in upscale Kemps Corner area. Huge flames were seen emanating from the floor.

The Fire Birgade officials said that the entire 12th floor of the 26-storey building was owned by Dinesh Gandhi, a diamond merchant, who was also the producer of the Bollywood film Tezaab. Gandhi and his family members were rescued by the firemen.

“Seven residents from the building have died in the blaze. Identification of some of the residents have been made, while the others could not be identified as they have been badly burnt. The victims were declared dead in the BMC-run Nair Hospital,” the official told PTI.

“The injured firemen are being treated in the civic-run medical facility and also National Burns Centre & General Hospital at Airoli in adjoining Navi Mumbai. The cooling operation on the gutted floor is still underway,” he said.

Fourteen fire engines, aided by seven water tankers, battled for several hours to put out the inferno. The cause of the fire was not yet known.PTI